What is more important to your company: finding new employees or retaining the ones you have? In most cases, employers desire and value in longevity in their team. You want employees who are dedicated to your organization and believe in what you do. Unfortunately, before you reach this point, you may already be losing them.

Onboarding for a new employee can be one of the most important experiences they have with you. Starting a new job can cause stress, so making them feel welcome and at ease is one of the best ways to keep them around. In fact, one study found that more than 85 percent of new hires make the decision about staying or going within the first six months. Another survey found companies lose around 17 percent of new employees within the first month! Instead of losing your team, create an onboarding process that makes them want to stay.

Have everything ready when they arrive

First impressions are important, and by not having everything in place when your new hire starts, you’re telling them they aren’t important. At least that’s how it may seem to them. As soon as the offer is extended and accepted, you should begin getting their email account set up and securing the necessary equipment as well as space.

A new employee who shows up to a temporary space without a computer or log-in can feel like the company didn’t take the time to prepare for their arrival and assume this is a reflection of how it operates.

Create an agenda

Instead of guiding the hire to their desk and leaving them, schedule meetings with department heads and necessary team members, so they can make instant connections and learn more about the different roles at the company. This way they know when they have downtime to get settled and their first few days can feel more valuable because their expanding their company knowledge.

Schedule necessary trainings and meet and greets

If they need to learn specific software for your company, have that set up in advance so they aren’t left waiting without work to do. Additionally, plan an informal gathering with co-workers so they can spend time together with a little more freedom in conversation.

Follow up with them

Finally, don’t leave them alone! They will have questions at the beginning, and you want to be able to answer them quickly. Leaving them alone might make them hesitant to reach out whereas being an engaged manager from the beginning will develop a good relationship and loyalty to the company that inspires them to stay.

We’re here when you need us

You wish every new hire could last, but sometimes lay-offs and downsizing occur. When this happens, Unemployment Tracker is here to help you manage the unemployment claims. Check out some of our free resources today!